SEPANG – It is Uzbekistan Airways (NAC) continuous efforts to raise the bar in cabin experience, NAC introduced the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, a new aircraft with the most modern technical and technological equipment, radically different from other aircrafts under NAC’s fleet now. Kuala Lumpur will be the first destination in Asia to welcome the 787-8 Dreamliner configuration which will service the Tashkent - Kuala Lumpur route twice a week.

The successful inaugural flight of NAC’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was followed by a special welcome ceremony organized by Malaysia Airports in cooperation with Uzbekistan Airways’ representative office in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) which was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Malaysia, H.E Mr. Murad Askarov, Senior General Manager of Malaysia Airports, Tuan Haji Zainol Mohd Isa, Senior Director, International Promotion (America/ Europe/ Ocenia) of Tourism Malaysia, Wan Zawawi Mohamed, Deputy Commercial Director of NAC, Mr. Davronbek Niyazov and Head of Tourism Division of NAC, Mr. Azizkhon Mukhamedjanov, Mr. Sherzod Akmalov Head of representative office of NAC in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur). Its inaugural flight was welcomed with the traditional water turret salute by Malaysia Airports’ Airport Fire and Rescue Services (AFRS).

H.E Mr. Murad Askarov reiterated on NAC’s commitment to our passengers during the opening speech of the ceremony saying, “With Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Uzbekistan Airways will be able to serve our passengers better and make their trip more comfortable and memorable.” H.E Mr. Murad Askarov also expressed his gratitude on NAC’s 25 years of service to Malaysia and to its passengers, for its contribution to strengthening and expanding cooperation between Uzbekistan and Malaysia in the field of aviation communications, as well as improving the level of passenger service.

Davronbek Niyazov also mentioned that today is a special occasion for him and everybody in NAC since they are celebrating two significant occasions in KLIA; the 25th anniversary of NAC’s operations, connecting the two great countries Uzbekistan and Malaysia, and also the introduction of the new Boeing-787 Dreamliner for its TAS-KUL route. “25 years ago, NAC launched its very first international routes to London, Tel-Aviv, Dehli, Beijing and Kuala Lumpur only but today NAC is represented in 25 countries, connecting more than 45 cities around the world.”

“We first started our operations with Soviet made aircrafts, but now has modernised our fleet with Boeing and Airbus aircrafts for medium and long haul flight. As of now, the average age of our fleet is nine years. The two brand new Boeing-787 Dreamliners for NAC was delivered in August and November 2016 and another four Dreamliners will be delivered in 2019,” he added.

Sharing his delight on the inaugural flight of NAC’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Zainol said, “We first welcomed Uzbekistan Airways at Subang Airport in April 1992 for the Tashkent-Kuala Lumpur route. It has been 25 years since we first started our business relationship and I am happy to see that it has grown from strength to strength. In fact, 2016 saw an increase of 3.5% in passenger traffic movement from Central Asia in KLIA. With this new aircraft being used for the Tashkent-Kuala Lumpur route, I am confident that Uzbekistan’s flag carrier will grow even further thus benefiting our two countries in terms of mutual economic cooperation, as well as expanding cultural and humanitarian ties.”

“This year marks a special milestone for both our organisations. While Malaysia Airports is celebrating our silver jubilee, Uzbekistan Airways has also reached its 25th year in connecting Malaysia and Uzbekistan. What a long and successful relationship this has been and I certainly hope that it will continue to flourish in years to come,” he added.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner adopts a three-class configuration and introduces the first fully flat seats of the carrier for its Business Class. The passenger cabin for the new aircraft is equipped by air saturator, as well as individual display for each passenger, intended for entertainment and also offers more comfortable and wider seats, principally new flooring covering, lighting and noise insulation enable to create more in-flight pleasant sensations.